Are You Overthinking? Here’s How to Stop

May 5, 2019

71 views

3 minute read

Overthinking is one of the biggest problems that affects our society today. In fact, if people were able to stop thinking so much, many problems would simply disappear. Our constant fascination with preparing for the future or drawing on the past distracts us so often from the present moment that most of us are only ‘half-here.’

You can see why it’s so important to learn some techniques that could prevent you from overthinking. In this article we’re going to discuss some of the easiest and most effective ways that you can stop the constant whirlwind of thinking in your mind.

Be Aware

Awareness is the key to stopping an overthinking mind, and all of the other tips in this list can emerge naturally as a result of simply being more aware. However, cultivating awareness takes time and patience, and is something that a lot of people simply write off in our busy world.

By being more aware of the present moment and your feelings, your mind will slow down and your life will improve. You’ll be better able to make decisions about business, relationships, family, and every other aspect of your life.

Awareness can also bring you into awareness of the source of your issue so you can work through it with the help of therapy, if necessary. This is an important aspect of preventing overthinking.

Meditate

Meditation is one of the most practiced and proven ways to help slow down the non-stop torrent of thoughts in your mind. There are an infinite number of ways to meditate, but nearly all of them involve putting yourself in a quiet environment, slowing down, and bringing your attention to a single object of focus.

A good object to focus on as a beginner is your breath. Bring all your attention to your breath as it rises and falls. Thoughts will intrude, but the goal here is to bring a thoughtless awareness to an object of focus. Over time, you will be able to do this easier and manually ‘turn off’ your thoughts.

Work on Self-Confidence

Many people spend hours worrying about other people and their perceptions. This tends to go away naturally as you develop self-confidence, and this can be vital for helping to free yourself of unwanted, excessive thoughts.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness and awareness go hand in hand, and some even use the terms interchangeably. Practicing mindfulness cultivates awareness, and being aware is essentially mindfulness.

One of the nifty things about mindfulness compared to, say, meditation, is that mindfulness actually encourages the awareness of your thoughts. By being aware of your thoughts instead of pushing them away, you can learn about them, where they come from, and the triggers that lead to excessive thinking.

Eat Properly

Diet affects nearly every aspect of our health – including our mind. The Ayurvedic tradition in India has identified a certain class of foods – known as the rajasic foods – that actually promote activity in the mind.

Foods that are highly pungent or potent, such as garlic, hot chilis, and onions, are all known to increase overthinking. Since these foods are staples in most home-cooked meals, it’s no wonder we’re all thinking so much!